Thursday, April 26, 2012

Funding Alternatives for Fire and EMS

Emmitsburg, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), supported by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and in partnership with the International Fire Services Training Association (IFSTA), announce the revision and release of Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services (PDF, 3.7 Mb). The latest edition provides the most up to date information regarding funding for local level Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire departments.  The document includes sources of federal funding as well as other new and innovative funding sources not discussed in previous editions.

"Adequate funding is one of the most challenging issues facing EMS and fire departments today," said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernest Mitchell. "This document provides valuable information for local-level departments facing financial challenges."

A key part of the project initiative was an enhanced study of critical funding issues for both fire and non-fire service based EMS systems.

"OHA is pleased to provide guidance on this important topic," said Dr. Alexander G. Garza, DHS Assistant Secretary for OHA and Chief Medical Officer.  "Funding is critical for the successful operation of EMS response agencies – key to this nation's homeland security."

EMS and fire departments require funding for expenses such as equipment, training, and salaries in order to provide necessary protection to their respective communities. However, with tighter budgets, less government subsidies, and fewer donations, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for fire and emergency services departments to meet greater and more complex demands for its services.
"IFSTA was proud to work with USFA and OHA to provide this much needed information," said Mike Wieder, IFSTA Executive Director.

Further information on USFA's EMS research initiatives may be found on the USFA website.

Hammarlund HQ-129

Bringing back memories of my Novice days, this receiver was my replacement for a BC-348.

This unit was very sensitive and gave the user the opportunity to hear the world.  If I remember right, there was also crystal filters that improved selectivity.

At any rate, thanks for the memories.  Someone will have a good receiver.

Hammarlund HQ-129-X in pristine condition - For Sale:

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Is Bank of America losing in Social Media? @BofA_help

Reports from media and social media, especially, would lead one to believe that Bank of America is lost in cyberspace.


Bank of America gun – Topsy: search shows the majority of the post are from customers who are telling Bank of America ... either in general terms anyone can read or in messages directed to @BofA_help ... that their business relationship with the financial institution is in jeopardy.  At this writing, over 400 tweets about this subject were sent in one day.  In 19 pages, there's been no observable support for Bank of America.


As of this writing, there were no responses to any tweets.  In fact, 14 hours was the last tweet from their account.  There were similar results from the other social media accounts listed.  The financial giant awoke to send "¡BofA§Help: ¡kc5fm We are here to help, listen, and learn from our customers and are glad to assist with any account related inquiries. Übm" after this was written and more tweets are coming forth.  Also, more statements were coming from Twitter hours after the fact, ex. "Bank of America does not have policies that prohibit us from providing banking services to this client’s industry. ^bm"

When asked for more information, the Bank tweeted:  "
We can’t comment on an individual client but we do not have a policy that prohibits us doing business with this industry. ^bm


Given that it is Saturday night after the Twitter event started, there's over 1K likes on the McMillan page on Facebook.  A number of posts on the Bank of America wall have been deleted (according to Twitter and discussion on the McMillan page).


Now Bank of America is claiming the McMillan accusation is false.


Over on Google+, the issue is not trending but it's there with no challenge from Bank of America.


This is an example of how stories develop and are enhanced by social media.  Is this becoming an example how social media magnification can work against someone not engaged in social media?


Engagement means answering tweets and other social media challenges.  The Stream does not sleep.


(Insert verbiage for Virtual Operations Support Teams here)  



Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Need College Hours?

Five additional FEMA courses are now available for credit conversion
through FCC's Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management.
In addition to the more than 50 courses already available, the
following courses have been added:
FEM 180 - Planning for Vulnerable Populations (IS 366, 901)
FEM 181 - Integrated Public and Private Partnership Planning (IS 660, 15.b)
FEM 182 - Local and Tribal Mitigation Planning (IS-318)
FEM 183 - Public Works Role in Emergency Management (IS 552, 554, 556, and 558)
FEM 184 - Logistics and the Defense Priorities and Allocations System(
IS-27, 245.a, and 246.11)
New courses are always being added to the growing list of courses
available for college credit. Check back often to see updates.
Interested in putting your online credits towards a degree? Some of
the credits are utilized within Frederick Community College's (FCC)
Associates of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree, Emergency Management
Certificate, and numerous specialization Letters of Recognition (LOR).
As a nationally recognized institution with American Public University
(APU), FCC degrees are transferable to several prestigious four year
colleges so that you can further your studies in Emergency Management.
For more information about converting your online FEMA courses into
college credits, visit www.em-study.com.


Friday, April 06, 2012

The Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security is pleased to announce the 2012 NIMS Workshop schedule. OKOHS has scheduled a series of 33 workshops at locations all around the state, from April 19th till June 5th. These workshops have been scheduled to help agency / department managers get answers to questions regarding the 2012 implementation requirements. 

Below is the 2012 Schedule. NO REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY! Please find the date/location that best suits your needs. 


DATE TIME CITY LOCATION ADDRESS Additional Info 
April 19 10:00am-12:00pm Ada Pontotoc Tech Center 601 W. 33rd, Ada, 74820 410B 2:00 - 4:00pm Tishomingo Johnson County EMS/Emerg Mgmt 604 E 24th, Tishomingo, 73460 Conf Room 

April 23 9:00-11:00am Cheyenne Roger Mills County Emerg Mgmt 107 S LL Males Ave, (hwy 283) Cheyenne, 73628 CD Room 
2:00 - 4:00pm Clinton Custer County Fair Grounds Highway 183 (4th st): aprox 2 miles south of Clinton, Patrick Center 

April 26 09:30-11:30am Chicasha Grady County Emergency managemnt 315 W Pennsylvania Ave, Chicasha 73018 EOC
May 1 9:00-11:00am Kingfisher Kingfisher County EM 124 E Sheridan, Kingfisher, 73750 Basement Meeting Room (EOC) 
1:00-3:00pm Enid Autry Technology Center 1201 W Willow, Enid, 73703 53A 

May 2 9:00 - 11:00am Alva Woods County Courthouse 407 Government St. Alva, 73717 Conf Room 
1:30 - 3:30pm Woodward Woodward County Emergency Ops Center 100 Temple Houston Dr. Woodward, 73801 Conf Room 

May 3 9:00 - 11:00am Beaver OEDA 330 Douglas, Beaver 73932 Conf Room 

May 7 9:00 - 11:00am Edmond Downtown Community Center 24 E 1st, Edmond, 73034 Activity Room 
1:00 - 3:00 pm Oklahoma City Regional Emergency Operations Center 4600 N Martin Luther King, OKC, 73136 Trng Room 

May 9 10:00am - 12:00pm Wewoka Seminole County Law Enf. Center 211 E 2nd St, Wewoka, 74884 Trng Room 
2:00 - 4:00pm Eufaula County Courthouse 110 N 1st, Eufaula, 74432 Commissioners Conf Rm 

May 10 0900 - 11:00am MacAlester Pittsburgh County EOC 1210 N West St. MacAlester, 74501 EM Office 
2:00 - 4:00pm Antlers Antlers Fire Dept 1205 SW 2nd St Antlers, 74523 Training Room 
7:00 - 9:00pm Broken Bow Broken Bow Fire Dept 11 N Main, Broken Bow, Trng Room 

May 11 0900 - 1100am Idabel Kiamichi Technology Center Hwy 70 E and Hwy 259 N, Idabel, Rm 3 

May 14 9:30 - 11:30am Duncan Stephens County EOC 101 S 11th st. Duncan, 73533 EOC 
2:00 - 4:00pm Anadarko Andadarko Public Library 215 W Broadway, Anadarko, 73005 Mtg Room 

May 16 09:00- 11:00am Tulsa Tulsa County Emergency Management 600 Civic Center, EOC, Basement Police Bldg EOC (parking: 12th and Guthrie) 
1:30 - 3:30pm Claremore Rogers County Emergency Management 219 S Missouri, Claremore, 74017 EOC Rm B 113 

May 21 10:00 - 12:00am Bartlesville Washington County EOC 3931 SE Adams Rd, Bartlesville 74006 Conference Room 
2: 00 - 4:00pm Sand Springs `Fire Station 1 217 N McKinley, Sand Springs, 74063 Trng Room 

May 23 09:00 - 11:00am Goldsby Goldsby Community Center 164 E Center, Goldsby, OK 73093 Mtg Room 
2:00 - 4:00am Sulpher OSU Extension Office 3460 Hwy 7 W, Sulpher, 73086 Mtg Room 

May 29 09:30-11:30am Vinita Craig County Fairgrounds 700 Apperson Dr, Venita, Exhibit Building 
2:00 - 4:00pm Muskogee Muskogee Civic Center 400 Okmulgee, Muskogee, Room C 

May 30 09:00 - 11:00am Tahlequa Tahlequa Emergency Management 105 S Cherokee, Tahlequa 74464 Meeting Room/EOC 
1:00 - 3:00pm Stilwell Adair County Sheriff Office 600 Paul Meade Dr. Stilwell,74960 Trng Room 

June 1 10:00am - 12:00pm Ponca City Ponca City Fire Dept. 500 E Grand, Ponca City, 74601 
2:00 - 4:00pm Stillwater Stillwater PD 701 S Lewis, Stillwater OK, 74074 EOC/Trng Rm 

June 5 1:30 - 3:30pm Lawton Comanche Co EOC 4500 W Lee Bldg 900, Lawton Park at Bldg 800 

June 6 9:00 - 11:00am Altus Altus City Hall 509 S Main Altus 73521 Auditorium

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